India, Pak threatened from same forces: Zardari

SECURITY CRISIS: Pakistani president Asif Ali Zardari says that he is committed as can be to cooperate with India.

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New Delhi: Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has said that his heart bleeds for the people of India in the wake of the Mumbai Terror attacks. He said that Pakistan will cooperate fully with all investigations and will punish anyone found guilty in Pakistan.

CNN-IBN’S Karan Thapar spoke to the Pakistani President.

Karan Thapar: President Zardari, how do you respond to the terrorist strike in Mumbai which has killed perhaps as many as 200 people and left several 100 injured?

Asif Ali Zardari: I am appalled, I am hurt, I am bleeding. Your wound brings attention to my wound, it is also very recent. I stand with the people of India. I stand with the leadership of India. I am sorry that you are going through this. I can see this on the TV. Today's infotech brings all the pain to us in our bedrooms, in our homes.

Karan Thapar: Yesterday the Indian PM spoke with you, spoke with your PM, and he indicated the sort of evidence India has which suggests some sort of connection to Pakistan. Can you assure the Indian people that Pakistan will do everything it can to investigate and enquire into these connections so that we get to the bottom of this matter?

Asif Ali Zardari: As the President of Pakistan, let me assure you that if any evidence points towards any individual or group in my part of the country, I will take the strictest of action in the light of the evidence and in front of the world.

Karan Thapar: So you are saying that you will co-operate with any investigation or enquiry whatsoever without any hesitation?

Asif Ali Zardari: Without any hesitation whatsoever, no matter where it may lead.

Karan Thapar: On Friday, it was announced in Islamabad that the Director General (DG) of the ISI will be coming to India. We believe overnight that decision may have been reversed, and you may have changed your mind, what is the position?

Asif Ali ZardariNo Karan, there was a miscommunique, we had announced that a Director would come from the ISI, because it's too early for the DGs to meet at the moment. Let the evidence come to light, let the investigation take its course, then perhaps the DGs could meet.

Karan Thapar:So you are saying at the moment a Director of the ISI will come - is that right?

Asif Ali Zardari: Yes, that is what I was requested by Manmohan Singh and that was what was agreed between us.

Karan Thapar: But you also said a moment ago that a DG could come later on, you don't rule out that possibility?

Asif Ali Zardari: I do not rule out the possibility of cooperation between the highest echelons of the intelligence agencies.

Karan Thapar: Which includes the DG if need be?

Asif Ali Zardari: Which would include the DGs.

Karan Thapar:There are many things that you have said that are very reassuring to the Indian people . There were things that you said on Saturday at the HT summit which got a lot of applause and praise in India, but people raise one question, they say Asif Ali Zardari has the right intentions, he says the right things, can he and will he deliver on his assurances and promises? How do you answer that concern?

Asif Ali Zardari: Sir I'll deliver because I stand by my people. I am delivering for Pakistan, I am delivering for the existence of Pakistan. I have a personal threat, I have a threat from the same forces. They may not be the same individuals but they are definitely the same forces and the same mindset, so I am not standing to appease any other people. I am trying to save my own nation. My country and the future of my children, so therefore I am as committed as can be.